But yet another batting capitulation - one that saw the tourists lose 6 for 31 through the middle order - meant Clarke's side went down 3-0 in a series that he had not written off hope of levelling at 2-2 after an encouraging performance at Old Trafford.

Where to from here?

Clarke has to be worried about his side's form with the bat, but he took no credit away from the man-of-the-match efforts of Stuart Broad, who bagged 6 for 50 in the second dig and 11 for the match to tear apart Australia.

"We got outplayed, didn't we," Clarke said tersely.

We got outplayed, didn't we? I need some time to let this sink in I guess, then we'll go from there.

Michael Clarke

"Stuart Broad bowled a couple of outstanding spells throughout this Test match and managed to get plenty of wickets and get a roll on and run with momentum.

"Once we lost that first wicket of Chris Rogers it was hard to stop Stuart Broad to be honest.

"He bowled really well and that's the game, especially in the second innings of a Test match that's always possible.

"But we've got to be better than that unfortunately."

Clarke was unable to say exactly what needs to be done before the fifth Test starting next Wednesday at The Oval in London, let alone the home Ashes series in the Australian summer.

"Obviously we want to perform better than we have done," he admitted.

"In the first innings we've got to perform better than we did, more than the second innings I think. The second innings is always tough to chase 300.

"But I need some time to let this sink in I guess, then we'll go from there."